ATC Swap "Winter Sparkle"

Yay! The card is finished and ready to be send away across the ocean again. Ali of Very Berry Handmade chose the same theme as two years ago. It was interesting to see what I could come up with this time around.

To my own surprise, the creative process of this card has been quite different from all the previously made ATCs. I was not sure if I could join this swap in the first place. I signed in pretty much when the time almost ran out, but once I did, I panicked. I had no idea at all what to make and there was not even a hint of any inspirations in sight. I tried making some sketches as before and brainstorming some ideas, but none of that worked.

Then one evening, while tidying up my craft nook, I picked up a piece of white organza and in no time at all this little scene appeared. I wish I had taken some photos during the process to show you all the folds and stitches, and threads and the merging of the colours representing the snowy slopes. It's quite interesting and a completely new way of sewing for me. I used pale blue cotton, pink felt and white cotton all covered with folded organza and stitched on top. In some places the frayed edge of organza sticks up like dried up grass covered in frost. I called this card "Frosty Morning". That touch of pink on the horizon is the beautiful blushing light of the rising sun. It's a scene from my childhood that is deeply engraved into my brain and makes my heart flutter every time I see some snowy sparkles. 

Once the scene was finished, I left the card untouched for a long time. The inspiration evaporated and I could not bring myself to finishing it. But last night I felt like working on it again, maybe it was just the approaching deadline that made me work on it. Anyway, I had to finish the border and the back side of the card.

Taking into account all the uneven lines, crooked trees and messy stitches, I wanted to make a matching border that would not look too neat compared to the scene. I set my machine to zig zag stitch and went around quite a few times. It seems a bit messy, but matches the scene quite nicely. For the back I chose a piece of calico with a handwritten message. This card was a complete surprise to me, this was a new way of sewing that was not planned at all and I am really happy with the result. I hope my partner likes this little special make.

Oh, and of course being called "Winter Sparkle", I just had to add some extra sparkles. I applied a touch of glue and dusted the cards with some magical sparkles, just like a touch of frost. Happy inspirations and happy sewing, my dear friends! Larisa xox